William D. Lewis, 1938
B.A., Denison University
M.A., California Institute of Technology
Citation awarded May, 1988
William Lewis has gained a national reputation of the highest stature in the field of petroleum exploration.
Following graduation, phi beta kappa from Denison in 1938, Bill went on to the California Institute of Technology where he received his master’s. He began his career in petroleum exploration with the Magnolia Company working actively to develop the mid-continent fields.
Following service with the Navy during World War II, he joined the General Petroleum Company. He is a friend and associate of Armand Hammer and was actively involved with Occidental Petroleum during the early days of that company’s existence.
In 1955, he formed his own company of consulting petroleum geologists and engineers. He is currently serving as consultant for the Chinese government in their fledgling oil and gas industry.
Bill’s father was Dr. Thomas A. Lewis, Denison’s first professor of psychology and chair of the department.
